People assisting with staging for live entertainment events and productions apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. At this level their work would be closely supervised. The role includes the need for an understanding of stage geography, staging equipment and staging terminology plus basic stage preparation and set positioning.

This unit has linkages to a range of other technical units and combined assessment and/or training with those units is recommended, e.g.:

CPCCCM1005A Carry out measurements and calculations

MEM18001C Use hand tools.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare stage area

1.1. Refer to stage plan and consult with supervisor to obtain details of work requirements

1.2. Identify the need for general clearing and cleaning of stage area and take appropriate action

1.3. Mark out stage accurately in accordance with stage plan and directions from supervisor

1.4. Liaise with other production personnel to ensure timing of staging installation is appropriate in relation to other production requirements

2. Lay up floor and position set pieces

2.1. Lay up floor in accordance with stage plan and directions from supervisor

2.2. Move and assemble set pieces in accordance with stage plan and directions from supervisor

2.3. Follow appropriate safety procedures when laying floor and positioning set pieces

2.4. Identify any adjustments required in consultation with supervisor and other personnel and take appropriate action

2.5. Clean up and clean surrounding areas to ensure safe work space for all personnel

Required skills

literacy skills sufficient to interpret a stage plan

numeracy skills sufficient to take basic stage and staging measurements

Required knowledge

role of staging personnel within the overall production and interrelationship with other production personnel

stage geography and terminology, including upstage, downstage, on/offstage, stage right/left, scenery dock, PS, OP, cameral left, camera right (for film and TV)

different types of common stage machinery and equipment and the main safety issues associated with their use

basic set assembly, including the correct way to run and float a flat, to lash/toggle and pinhinge flats together and to use tech screws and bolts for assembling set pieces

methods of tying cloths, drapes, tabs, etc to a barrel, including legs, borders, scrims, gauzes, cycloramas

a variety of knots, including bowline, clove, hitch, half-hitch, reef knot, rolling hitch, truckies hitch, overhand knot, figure of eight knot (single and double), whippings and rope seizing

occupational health and safety requirements and their application to stage mechanics,, including the handling of hazardous substances

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

knowledge of the roles and functions of staging departments and staging personnel

knowledge of entertainment industry terminology in relation to staging

ability to follow instructions and safety procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must ensure:

demonstration of skills through the installation of staging that includes as a minimum the installation of flooring and basic set pieces

involvement of and interaction with a team with whom the candidate can work and which is able to provide the overall direction for staging set-up.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

direct observation of the candidate using appropriate and safe techniques to install staging

inspection/evaluation of staging elements positioned by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of staging terminology, features and uses of different types of equipment and stage geography

review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

staging machinery, equipment and tools

venue at which a production is being staged.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Other production personnel may include:

designers

directors

production managers

stage managers

technical specialists

venue management

Floor may be laid up using:

carpet

dance floors, e.g. tarkett

floor cloths/cladding

masonite

vinyl

Set pieces may include:

framed scenery, e.g.: flats, profiles, doors, windows

furniture and other set props

non-weight bearing scenery, eg: columns, trees

revolves

soft scenery, e.g.: canvas legs, borders, cloths, gauzes, cycloramas

trucks

weight bearing scenery, e.g.: rostra, ramps, steps

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - staging

This unit contains employability skills.